Cub Cadet ZTT 50 (i1050) vs RTZ S 42

[runrider]

I need a new mower by spring. The local service shop sells only cub cadet, so I don't have a lot of options. They have the full line of new Cubs, and they also have a used 2011 Zero Turn Tractor. Since my yard is somewhat large (1 acre, filled with fences and obstacles), and every square inch of it is sloped, I think I want either a RTZ S or a ZTT... Regular tractors will struggle with all the turns, and traditional ZT's aren't suitable for my hill, with their non-steered castor wheels.

The 2011 ZTT at the local shop is exactly what I want, and I can afford it... but its a couple years old, and has 112 hours on it (was used commercially). I'm afraid that I'll have a hydro go out in a couple years!

On the other hand, the RTZ S looks like it will be a great choice, and covers ground faster (by 1mph), but its a little more expensive, which puts it out of my budget. But, if its going to last significantly longer, then I'll pony up. It has a smaller deck (42 vs 50), and seems to have a couple fewer features.

Does anyone have experience with Cub Cadets EZT transmissions? How many hours can you expect out of them? Any other recommendations?

 

[runrider]

65 views and no bites? Lets expand a bit. After more research, the "EZT" transmissions look like disposables, so I won't be considering these cool machines anymore. I'm searching for a commercial version on ebay/craigslist, no luck so far.

I'm also now considering regular lawn tractors, and maybe even a z turn. How steep of a slope can a z-turn handle? I need to be able to make turns and head in any direction from anywhere on my slope, which I guess might be around 10 degrees. Can a ZT handle 10 degrees easily? My budget is 2500, and I'm mowing an acre of obstacles. Minimizing mowing time is more important than cut quality to me.

 

[rjwerth]

Sad to say, but 2500 doesn't buy you much in the catagory you are looking in. As you are already learning, there is a lot of value engineering going on at that price level. Consider used or biting the bullet and increasing you budget by another grand for new. You seem to have a lot of tricky ground to mow and cutting corrners now will most likely mean spending even more later.

I have a Deere x304 that I absolutely love. I don't have quite as much lawn as you, but like you I have obsticals o'plenty and a fairly serious grade change between the front and back yards. It is one of the few tractors that has 4 wheel steer so you can turn quite tightly around the trees and only 1 transmission to worry about.

Good luck!

PS I also looked at a 1050 when I bought mine.. came very close to buying one but the x304 was much nicer.

 

[Carl_NH]

I would suggest looking for a good used garden tractor 44-54" cut - like the Cub Cadet 2165-2500-3100 series shaft drive series with Kohler engines or the John Deere X series - the X304 has been given good reviews.

These machines were around $4K new and if you can find one that the owner took care of and upgraded to a bigger machine you should be in the 1800-2000 range - with 150-400 hours.

Carl

 

[runrider]

Sad to say, but 2500 doesn't buy you much in the catagory you are looking in. As you are already learning, there is a lot of value engineering going on at that price level. Consider used or biting the bullet and increasing you budget by another grand for new. You seem to have a lot of tricky ground to mow and cutting corrners now will most likely mean spending even more later.

I have a Deere x304 that I absolutely love. I don't have quite as much lawn as you, but like you I have obsticals o'plenty and a fairly serious grade change between the front and back yards. It is one of the few tractors that has 4 wheel steer so you can turn quite tightly around the trees and only 1 transmission to worry about.

Good luck!

PS I also looked at a 1050 when I bought mine.. came very close to buying one but the x304 was much nicer.

I'm OK with finding some lightly used commercial equipment. My last machine was a 1976 wheel horse c-120... I rode her hard for three years, then sold her for what I paid for it after the brakes quit working very suddenly on the hill...

How steep is too steep for a beefy commercial ZT?

 

[runrider]

I would suggest looking for a good used garden tractor 44-54" cut
Carl

Why a GT? All I do is mow. I have standalone machines for tilling and snowblowing.

 

[Carl_NH]

They are built better, HD and with transmissions, decks and such that will last 20-30 years if taken care of. I have a CC 1811 since new in 1990 so 22 years and 750 hours, still on same engine, deck bearings, transmission etc.

I have a ZTR now, its a Ferris commercial IS2000 model weighs 1150 Lbs, 52" cut and I cut 2.5 AC and do a lot of clean up in the fall as well. I got a deal on a leftover 2009 model in 2010 $7K and now the same is $8500 range.

The ZTRs on DRY slopes are OK to 15*, maybe 20* but when its wet or damp grass the slopes can be tricky as there are no brakes or steering wheel on a ZTR - the drive wheels are the brakes and the steering.

Your lawn @ 1 ac is not too big, but big enough for a small ZTR, 48" would be fine, and you can find a used one for $3-3500 liek a Scag Tiger Cub, Exmark, or Ferris IS500. Most of these at this price point will have 400-1000 hours.

On the other hand you can find a number of used GT's in the 1500-2000 range in nice shape 100-300 hours on line today. So for the money you can get a newer GT close to commercial duty, with less hours than a ZTR for less money.

Carl

 

[djdicetn]

runrider,
If you are shopping Cub Cadets I would recommend that you look at the high-end Residential Z-Force series(have some commercial-grade features) or the TANK commercials if you want the reliability of a commercial unit. I'm a little leary of the quality of the low-end RZT series.

 

[runrider]

Thanks for all your inputs. The lady wouldnt let me spend the dough on a commercial unit, and I managed to find a really good deal on an almost new i1046 that I couldn't pass up, despite the RZT issues. Wish me luck with the new cub! I'll be back to the forum when the hydro dies in a year or two. Thanks!

 

[djdicetn]

Thanks for all your inputs. The lady wouldnt let me spend the dough on a commercial unit, and I managed to find a really good deal on an almost new i1046 that I couldn't pass up, despite the RZT issues. Wish me luck with the new cub! I'll be back to the forum when the hydro dies in a year or two. Thanks!

Yeah, we all need the blessing of our Financial Advisor(aka, the wife:0) You will probably do well with that RZT46 and the HydroGear EZT tannies aren't "bad" drives, just not up to a lot of hours mowing at a time like a landscaping pro would do. I doubt you will be having any problems in a year or two. Let us know how you like it after mowing with it a while. Congrats!!!